Identity Theft

Identity Theft is a serious crime.  It occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes.  Identity Theft can cost you time and money.  It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name.  Prevent Identity Theft by safeguarding your information.

• Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information.
• Protect your Social Security number.  Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check.  Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
• Never provide personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you are certain who you are dealing with.
• Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails.  Use firewalls, antispyware, and antivirus software to protect your home computer.
• Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
• Keep your personal information in a secure place at home.  Secure all unused checks.
• Monitor your financial accounts and billing statements.
• Inspect your credit report.  The law permits you to obtain a consumer report each year at no cost.  Visit www.annualcreditreport.com.
• Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports.
• Equifax 1-800-525-6285
• Experian 1-888-397-3742
• Trans Union 1-800-680-7289
• Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently.
• Use the ID Theft Affidavit at ftc.gov/idtheft for support.
• File a police report with law enforcement officials to help you with creditors who may want proof should Identify Theft occur on any of your accounts.

Common Ways ID Theft Happens:

• Dumpster Diving: They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information.
• Skimming: They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card transaction.
• Phishing: they pretend to be a financial institution or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
• Channing your Address: They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a “change of address” form.
• “Old-Fashioned Stealing”: They steal wallets and purses; mail, statement, pre-approved credit application, new check, or tax information.  Some have gone to country facilities and obtained public information on loan funding.